The end of hacking? How Isro and DRDO are building an unhackable quantum future

India Today

22-06-2025

In a world increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, securing data is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity. While today's encryption systems rely on mathematical complexity, the cybersecurity of tomorrow will be grounded in the laws of quantum physics.At the heart of this revolution is quantum entanglement, a phenomenon Albert Einstein famously described as 'spooky action at a distance.'advertisementIndia, through the collaborative efforts of Isro and DRDO, is taking bold steps to harness this concept and build hack-proof quantum communication systems that could secure everything from satellite signals to financial transactions.
When you log into your bank account or send a private message, your password acts as a lock protected by complex mathematical algorithms. Even the most powerful supercomputer—like El Capitan at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, capable of 1.742 quintillion calculations per second—would take centuries to break this encryption.However, the looming threat is real: fully developed quantum computers could solve these puzzles in seconds. This means emails, bank transactions, and national secrets could be exposed instantly if we don't transition to quantum-secure communication.
India currently lags in satellite-based execution. (Photo: Isro)
advertisementGOING QUANTUMSo, how does quantum entanglement make communication secure?Imagine sending messages so secure that any attempt to hack them triggers an automatic alarm—like a cosmic tripwire. This is the promise of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). When two particles, such as photons, are entangled, their states remain linked regardless of distance. It's like rolling one magical die on Earth and seeing the same result on another at the edge of the galaxy.In a quantum setting, two users — commonly called Alice and Bob — exchange encryption keys using quantum particles. If a third party, Eve, tries to intercept the key, the quantum state is disturbed, immediately alerting the users to the breach.Whether transmitted through air, fiber optics, or satellites, quantum-secure communication ensures that any eavesdropping attempt is not just detectable — but automatically shuts down the process. With this technology, India is paving the way for a future where data is truly unhackable.ACHIEVING QUANTUM SECURITYThere are several ways to implement quantum-secure communication: through optical fibers, free-space air links, and increasingly, satellite-based channels.Fiber-based quantum communication is well-suited for secure links within cities, while free-space communication is used for rooftop or mobile connections.However, the real game-changer is satellite-based quantum communication, where satellites transmit quantum keys across hundreds—or even thousands—of kilometers.advertisementIndia is making significant strides in this domain. ISRO recently demonstrated entanglement-based quantum-secure communication over a 300-meter distance, where encrypted video was successfully decrypted using secure quantum keys transmitted via photons and lasers. In another breakthrough, DRDO, in collaboration with IIT Delhi, achieved hack-proof communication over a distance of more than 1 kilometer.These achievements are not only technologically sophisticated but also strategically vital for national defense and critical infrastructure protection.THE GLOBAL SCENARIOGlobally, China leads the race with its Micius satellite, enabling secure Quantum communication over 1,200 kilometres, followed by pioneering urban experiments in Europe and the US.While India currently lags in satellite-based execution, its dual-pronged civil-military approach gives it a unique advantage.India's 1 km free-space and 100 km fiber demonstrations are impressive but lag behind China's satellite capabilities.However, Isro has already outlined plans for space-based quantum communication, and DRDO is targeting secure battlefield and rural deployment. Together, they are laying the foundation for a national quantum communication grid..@DRDO_India & @iitdelhi demonstrate Quantum Entanglement-Based Free-Space Quantum Secure Communication over more than 1 km distancePaves way for development in quantum cyber security, quantum networks & future quantum internetIndia has entered into a new quantum era of pic.twitter.com/vkYLVdLYlD— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 16, 2025advertisementWHY IT MATTERS TO YOUQuantum communication may sound like science fiction, but it is fast becoming a national priority. In an era where digital threats evolve faster than defences, India's focus on entanglement-based secure channels is more than a scientific milestone—it is a strategic imperative.By embracing the strange yet powerful laws of quantum physics, India is preparing to leapfrog into a new age of secure, sovereign communication.Quantum communication could make your online transactions, personal data, and even national security systems unhackable. As Isro and DRDO push toward a quantum internet, India is joining an elite group of nations building a secure digital future. With more investment, India's quantum leap could soon rival the world's best, ensuring your secrets stay safe in the quantum age.Must Watch